My 2012 Calendar

Happy New Year 2012 everyone! ;) Just a calendar I made using MSO Publisher template with minor editing. BTW, Amber Chua & Nathaneal Chua are my niece & nephew. ;)

The Rice (Rise?) of Yok Man (Ip Man?)

Spotted the news "'Meaty' hero sparks excitement online" in The Star Online today. Excerpt:

"KUALA LUMPUR: An uncanny bak kwa superhero has burst into the social media scene, leaving almost half a million Internet viewers agape with the made-in-Malaysia cartoon hero."

"The Rice of Yok Man (loosely translated as “the rise of meat man”) is a four-minute video about flat-faced Yok Man, whose character was inspired by the dried sliced meat (known as bak kwa) taking the form of famous Wing Chun martial arts master Ip Man."

"The story is set against a hypothetical backdrop of World War II, with the Japanese portrayed as having the desire to conquer the Malaysian food industry."

"A food war ensues between the Japanese warlords (who take the form of a sushi and a tempura) and the Malaysian camp , represented by Yok Man and his martial arts compatriots, the egg-head named Double-Yolk Egg and the feminine Seremban Siew Bao."

"Witty lines in the Cantonese dialect lace the interactive video, which requires viewers to click the pause and mute buttons to assist Yok Man in winning his fight."

"The video with English and Chinese subtitles was created as a publicity gimmick for a local dried meat company."

Full new here. Watch the video below:

The original video can be viewed at http://youtube.wingheong.com/. Last I checked, there's about 518k+ views with 214k+ likes. :)

Merry Christmas 2011 & Happy New Year 2012

Merry Christmas 2011 & Happy New Year 2012 (just in case I'm too busy to post new post) :)

Google Gives Back (2011)...

Spotted " 'Tis the season. Google supports organisations that are changing the world" below the usual search entry...

"At Google, philanthropy is a core value. This year we gave more than $100 million to various organizations around the world -- including $40 million in grants that celebrate the giving season by supporting four causes that we consider particularly important: science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education; girls' education; empowerment through technology; and fighting human trafficking and modern-day slavery. We invite you to celebrate the giving season along with us by learning about these organizations, the great work they're doing, and how you can support them."



The number/text (selected) in the video reads:

3,000,000+ kids educated in science, technology, math and engineering
1,000,000+ people using technology for social good
12,000+ people freed from slavery
10,000+ girls educated in the developing world
40,000,000 grants from Google to organizations around the world

Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education
In the next six years, there will be 2.4 million job openings in STEM fields.¹ These organizations are working to give a new generation of students a chance to embrace science, technology, engineering and math -- and to pursue the rewarding careers that so often follow. Our gift will support their efforts for more than 3 million kids.

Girls' education
Educate a girl in Africa and she'll earn 25% more money, be 3 times less likely to contract HIV/AIDS, and have a smaller, healthier family.² Our support for these organizations will educate more than 10,000 girls in the developing world.

Empowerment through technology
Digital technology is one of the most powerful drivers of prosperity -- when you have access to it. In low and middle-income countries, a mere 10% increase in Internet penetration leads to a 1.4% increase in economic output.³ Innovative groups are using social media, open source programming, mobile networks and other technology platforms to connect communities, improve access to information and solve stubborn problems. Our gift will help these organizations bring about scalable change for millions of technology users.

Fighting modern day slavery and human trafficking
The bad news: there are more slaves today than at any other point in history.⁴ The good news: by returning to their villages and helping educate others, freed slaves protect hundreds of thousands of at-risk people from being tricked or forced into similar misery.⁵ Our support will free more than 12,000 people from modern-day slavery, and prevent millions more from being victimized.

Personal Injury Solicitor

Linked to The Green Mechanics: Personal Injury Solicitor.

Floyd asked: "Do we have Personal Injury Solicitor?"

This is not exactly an expert opinion or good post. :D

I had an accident that resulted in bodily injury. After the good sergeant ruled that the other party was at fault, he forwarded my contact number to an accident claim lawyer (can this be termed personal injury solicitor?). Don’t ask me, I didn’t know how to get one, I didn’t even know if they exist. :)

The same day (or was it night or evening?), the law firm rep contacted me for a meeting. The keyphrase were free of charge service even though the claim was unsuccessful but would only charge certain percent from the total claim if successful. So, I agreed to see him.

The next day, he really came. Upon seeing me in unilateral full leg cast, he (unconsciously?) nodded (as if he confirmed the truth of the good sergeant story) to me, greeted me, shook my hand and asked about my health (as if he couldn’t see I had difficulty moving, and in pain at that). I answered I was okey but moving difficultly and still in pain. He missed the sarcasm though (in my mind, was he even care about his (potential?) client.

I introduced him to another person involved in the accident (my girlfriend). Well, she didn’t have broken bones, just (according to the doctors) some bruises, laceration and probably soft tissues injury (from the medical report I managed to peek before the nurse at the A&E "took and hid" it from me). :)

Seeing he was perhaps in haste (got signs of agitation, and perhaps nervousness from the attention from my family members), I asked him go ahead. Then, he became so business-like (I bet this was the fruit of his training and his strength that he completely forgotten about his "discomfort") began to explain the process of how to get my right.

He (re-)explained, the charge was FREE OF CHARGE if the claim was unsuccessful. However, they would ask for certain percentage if the claim was successful. Furthermore, he said my case was a straightforward one (in other word, simple and sure get one, and I was like, so not so straightforward case you don’t take lah?).

He gave examples how much I might gain. Can’t really remember how much but below numbers are just examples, mind you:
1. One finger broken equal RM5,000.00.
2. One broken leg equal RM20,000.00.

So, total I could gain equaled RM25,000.00. That total not yet included other claim they might help (or "help", take your pick) to apply e.g.:
3. Loss of income (personal).
4. Loss of income (to workplace, due to me not able to come to work, resulted in loss of revenues).
5. Extra cost of medical related (not covered in the top two items) cost e.g. eh, not sure about this one. :)
6. Others, can’t remember anymore. ;)

He hypothesized, “Say you get RM30,000.00 from this (your bodily injury claim), we will only take 30% from the total, so you’ll still have about RM21,000.00, if you agree that is.”

When I asked if there were other “hidden” charges or fees (though I didn’t exactly say the word hidden). I really didn’t like the idea of “Oh, why do I have to pay RM10 for check in again (just because I didn’t know about the news about the RM10 counter check in)?”. Ops, stray from the topic again. :D

“No, no, no! You Don’t. Need.” (Remember to pause after every dot) While he was making chopping hand, horizontal style). “To pay for Anything. At. All. If we lost the case that is. Only, if we win we’ll, hmmm, proceed with the charge.” Well, he’s using a very layman term to explain to my tiny bruised (?) brain.

So, with zero starting fee/charge, a “winnable” (borrowed term from our PM Najib Razak) case, and still might gain okey amount for the trouble I got by the result of the accidents, I agreed.

“So, when can I, eh, we, expect the claim?” I asked. “After we register the case, we can expect at the fastest 8 months, depending if the other party’s insurance company wanted to fight their case or not. Which, might prolong the claim.” He shrugged (but looked relieved, probably because I already signed the consent form for them to proceed with my claim). :)

“However, we have heard of claim being approved in 2 months,” he supplied. “You mean after medical report was releases(which is about 6 months)?” I asked. “Of course,” he said and stood up. “We’ll keep you inform. Have a nice day.” (Oh, I forgot, he did take some picture of me and my girlfriend before he went out.)

BTW, did I mention that he declined my invitation to see two other persons (just upstairs) involved in the same accident just because they wouldn't be, eh, pressing charge/claim, because, they would be going back to peninsular the next day? No? :)

Fast forwarded to this day, I have not yet had any update in so long... Last I heard (few months ago), from the kind sergeant, my medical report had not been released, and thus the delay, according to the law firm to the kind sergeant.

So, you tell me, do we have Personal Injury Solicitor? I think the answer is YES (BUT). However only by "invitation" or "introduction" (like my case). Except if you know some lawyer who know who to contact. If not, you're on your own. Some NGO like Biro Bantuan Guaman (Legal Aid Bureau) may help you but an experience of a friend doesn't really convince me of their, eh, help.

Sabah Legal Aid Bureau can be contacted at:
Biro Bantuan Guaman (Cawangan Sabah),
Tkt 4, Blk B, Bangunan KWSP,
Peti surat no. 11319,
88814 Kota Kinabalu.
Phone: 088-238966
Fax: 088-242344

Other like Sabah Law Association may point you to the right direction. SLA can be contacted at:
2nd Floor, 58, Jalan Pantai,
Hainan Association Building,
88000 Kota Kinabalu, SABAH.
W.D.T. no. 414, 88904 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Phone: 088-232662
Fax: 088-232654
Email: info@sabahbar.org.my
URL: http://www.sabahbar.org.my/

The best Personal Claim Solicitor is your insurance agent. So, go buy yourself an insurance. Not only it protects you, it's also a good investment. ;) Have a nice day.

Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) - Even Foreigners Want It!

A huge crowd waiting outside the IRB office in Tawau. Inset: 2 women showed the torn and ripped forms.

Scuffle occurred when 2 hopefuls berebut the FREE BR1M forms and eventually joined by others...

Floyd gives concise info regarding Taklimat Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia.

My thought? I think the government is desperate. First giving RM100 per student, then RM500 per household. Then certain Acts were rushed. Desperate for what? You go figure yourself. :) BTW, according to info from the form (2nd page on the top): "... Borang permohononan juga boleh dimuat turun di laman web Kementerian Kewangan, www.treasury.gov.my"

I'm sorry I couldn't find the download button anywhere the last time I looked!
[Updated 12/12/2011 on www.treasury.gov.my]
Download link is given here. Specifically here (PDF file).

Even the foreigners were so hopeful that they came anyway although the rules state only WARGANEGARA can apply... With the rumor of election just around the corner, mana tau kan?

Wan Nur Arzrin “Alleged” She Was Assaulted By Her Uncle

First of all, I do not know her. I just picked up her name from Nov 21, 2011 Bernama news (and today is Nov 25!). [Bernama link broken, here's alternative news link]

Secondly, I intentionally bracket the word "alleged" because by definition (google: define allege) means: 1) Claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof that this is the case. 2) Suppose or affirm to be a case. Please note the bolded phrase.

No, I don’t mean to accuse Wan Nur Arzrin or something. See, at the second part, by definition (repeated), something was declared BUT not proven. And it has nothing wrong on Wan Nur Arzrin’s part at all.

She stated: “I'm disappointed that there has been no action taken on my reports, in Jakarta as well as the Kuala Lumpur International Airport police station on Nov 13. But I hope with Datuk Seri's (Mohamed Nazri) assurance, the matter will be attended to.”

The story:
On Nov 12, 2011: She "alleged" she was assaulted by her uncle due to a small misunderstanding, while the family was in a lift in Bogor, Indonesia. She claimed to have broken bones and injured nerve due to the assault.
Date?: She lodged a police report at Jakarta, Indonesia.
On Nov 13, 2011: She lodge another police report at KLIA police station.
On Nov 15, 2011: She twitted our PM Dato’ Seri Najib Razak for help [Source].
On Nov 21, 2011: She approached Dato’ Seri Mohd Nazri (Minister in Prime Minister’s Department) during a public event for help regarding her prior "alleged" claim (and second claim that, uh, "no action taken on her reports?") [Source]. [Bernama link broken, here's alternative news link]

By the way, who is Wan Nur Arzrin? On googling, she is/was(?):

1. Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Agro Biotechnology Technovation (M) Sdn Bhd (founded in 2008, entered the news in 2008 for its 900 million (dubbed largest) biodiesel plant in Kuala Lukut, Port Dickson and supposed to start producing biofuel since 2010);
2. A graduate of Universiti Malaya; a holder of Bachelor of Science Biotechnology;
3. A former student of Bukit Bintang Girls School (Class 5 Science 2 of 1999); also the President of Gymnastrada Club and Head of Shirtliff Cheerleading team (both 1999);
4. A regular twitter;
5. And, uh, rather pretty I say. :D

But still, I do not know how a small misunderstanding could lead to physical (and not to forget, emotional) assault (even though it was still an alleged claim) by a man to a woman. Even to the extend of breaking bones! To that ‘man’ if you really did as claimed, you can have my fist!

Hurting woman is one of my most hated crime